verb

crack

krak

verb

To break, split, or form a line of damage without falling completely apart.

"The old vase cracked when it was dropped."

"Ice on the pond began to crack under his weight."

To solve a difficult problem or figure something out.

"Scientists finally cracked the code after years of research."

To break down or give in under pressure, especially during questioning or stress.

"After hours of interrogation, the suspect finally cracked and confessed."

To make a joke.

"He cracked a joke to ease the tension in the room."

noun

A thin line or split in a surface.

"There's a crack running down the middle of the windshield."

A sharp, sudden noise, like a whip snapping or a bone breaking.

"A loud crack echoed through the woods as the branch snapped."

Slang: crack cocaine, a potent, addictive form of cocaine.

"The neighborhood had struggled with crack for decades."

How to Use Crack

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo break or split, to solve something, to break down under pressure, or to make a joke — plus, as a noun, a split or a sharp sound.

Common mistake

Context matters a lot here — "crack" can mean very different things (a joke, a drug, a sound, a break) depending on the sentence.

Common pairings

crack a joke crack under pressure crack the case crack in the wall

cracked past tense, cracks plural, Cracks plural, cracks plural, cracks singular

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Test yourself on “crack” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Can you complete this real example?

The old vase _____ when it was dropped.

From Old English cracian, meaning "to make a sudden loud noise" — the "break" and "joke" senses both grew from this basic idea of a sharp snap.

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